CVE-2020-5529
Code execution vulnerability in HtmlUnit
HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used 8.1
HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.
- Record
CVE-2020-5529- CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 6.8 Medium
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P - Weakness
- CWE-665, CWE-94
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List 8.1
HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.
- Record
CVE-2020-5529- CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-94
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-0412 8.1
HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.
- Record
EUVD-2020-0412- CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-5mh9-r3rr-9597 8.1
Code execution vulnerability in HtmlUnit
HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.
- Record
GHSA-5mh9-r3rr-9597- CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-94, CWE-665
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV 8.1
HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.
- Record
CVE-2020-5529- CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-5mh9-r3rr-9597 8.1
Code execution vulnerability in HtmlUnit
HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.
- Record
GHSA-5mh9-r3rr-9597- CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-665, CWE-94
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2020-5529 8.1
HtmlUnit prior to 2.37.0 contains code execution vulnerabilities. HtmlUnit initializes Rhino engine improperly, hence a malicious JavScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application. Moreover, when embedded in Android application, Android-specific initialization of Rhino engine is done in an improper way, hence a malicious JavaScript code can execute arbitrary Java code on the application.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2020-5529- CVSS 3.1
- 8.1 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVMGASA-2021-0148No score
Updated htmlunit packages fix security vulnerability
It was discovered that HtmlUnit incorrectly initialized Rhino engine. An Attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary Java code (CVE-2020-5529).
- Record
MGASA-2021-0148- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUSN-4584-1No score
htmlunit vulnerability
It was discovered that HtmlUnit incorrectly initialized Rhino engine. An Attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary Java code.
- Record
USN-4584-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
net.sourceforge.htmlunit:htmlunitMaven | before 2.37.0 | 2.37.0 |
htmlunitDebian:9 | before 2.8-2+deb9u1, plus listed versions 2.8-2 | 2.8-2+deb9u1 |
net.sourceforge.htmlunit:htmlunitMaven | before 2.37.0, plus listed versions 1.142.02.12.1.52.10 Show 35 moreShow less2.112.122.132.142.152.162.172.182.192.22.202.212.222.232.242.252.262.272.282.292.32.302.312.322.332.34.02.34.12.35.02.36.02.42.52.62.72.82.9 | 2.37.0 |
htmlunitMageia:7 | before 2.23-2.1.mga7 | 2.23-2.1.mga7 |
htmlunitUbuntu:16.04:LTS | before 2.8-1ubuntu2.1, plus listed versions 2.8-1ubuntu2 | 2.8-1ubuntu2.1 |
htmlunitUbuntu:Pro:18.04:LTS | All versions, plus listed versions 2.8-2ubuntu12.8-3ubuntu12.8-3ubuntu1+esm1 | None known |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| facts | ||
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2020-5529 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.1) in Htmlunit, published February 11, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 4.72%, the 91st percentile. Fixed in net.sourceforge.htmlunit:htmlunit 2.37.0.
References
github.com/HtmlUnit/htmlunit/releases/tag/2.37.0
jvn.jp/en/jp/JVN34535327
lists.apache.org/thread.html/ra2cd7f8e61dc6b8a2d9065094cd1f46aa63ad10f237ee363e26e8563%40%3Ccommits.camel.apache.org%3E
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/08/msg00023.html
usn.ubuntu.com/4584-1
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-5529
Show 10 moreShow less
github.com/HtmlUnit/htmlunit/commit/bc1f58d483cc8854a9c4c1739abd5e04a2eb0367
lists.apache.org/thread.html/ra2cd7f8e61dc6b8a2d9065094cd1f46aa63ad10f237ee363e26e8563@%3Ccommits.camel.apache.org%3E
github.com/advisories/GHSA-5mh9-r3rr-9597
github.com/HtmlUnit/htmlunit
advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2021-0148.html
bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=27167
ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-4584-1
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2020-5529
github.com/HtmlUnit/htmlunit/commit/934390fefcd2cd58e6d86f2bc19d811ae17bfa28
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-5529